For the stranger the fatherless and the widow

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 24-27

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. 20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

We live in a partial, if not entire well-fare state. It is going to break us and we are so dependent upon it now that 'cutting the fat' will affect so many people that the outcry will most likely stop any cutting. Now, what did God say to Israel about the poor of the land?

He gave them workfare, not wellfare. Here we see that an Israelite was to make provision for the poor by not completely harvesting his field, his trees or his vineyard. This would allow for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow to come behind them and glean the part that was left.

If we put some of the things together that God commanded Israel we might have a better idea about caring for the disenfranchised of our land. Leave a little for them. Don't lend money with usury, thus keeping them out of debt. Release the debt every seven years. Keep the land within the family unit and make sure if it does sell that it goes back the original family after fifty years.

God knows that some people will be more needy than others. He also knows that some would try to exploit others. The state did not own all the property, but private ownership was the law.

I am not advocating a return to Mosaic law, however we could learn something about economics from the Word of God. The bottom line is this:

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

In Christ,
Rody